Watch a Catastrophic Rocket Explosion in Stunning HD

Thankfully the Atlas-E was carrying a dummy warhead, because this could have been much worse

On June 7, 2014, an Atlas-E rocket was set for launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base in Lompoc, CA. While some Atlas rockets were used in the early space program, this Atlas-E was intended as an intercontinental ballistic missile. So when it goes wrong, it goes very wrong.

A combustion problem in the rocket caused an explosion shortly after launch. The rocket exploded and destroyed so much of the launch complex that it was out of commission for six months. There was only a dummy warhead aboard the rocket at the time—it could have been worse.

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While footage of the launch had been seen before, the folks at Atom Central have taken it on themselves to bring it to us in crisp HD. Just check out the gorgeously restored footage below.

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